Haven't Started Car in a Month
#1
Haven't Started Car in a Month
Thank You everyone for any help and information you can provide.
I'm in the process of selling my house in San Diego and I am currently living in Los Angeles and because of space issues, I left my S2000 in San Diego until I could make space to park it in my garage in Los Angeles. I originally thought the car was going to sit there for only 2 weeks before I brought it up, so I didn't do any long term sitting preparations. It's been a month now, and I am ready to bring the car up to Los Angeles.
So my question is, what should I do prior to starting the car to not cause any damage? I found all sorts of articles about starting cars after they have been sitting for 6 months to a year, but nothing for less time. Im always overly cautious with my S2000 so I'd rather do it right, then to just start it up, and have issues later on.
I figure I will have to jumpstart the car, but I am not sure if I should pull the fuel fuse and let the oil prime, or if I have to do anything else.
So here is the information on the car:
Note: I won't have any tools besides a jumper cable, but I can bring minimal tools with me if I have to. (I'm taking an Amtrak back down to SD to get the car)
2003 S2000 with about 140,000 miles
No prep was done at all, because I thought I would be driving the car after 2 weeks
Oil is 10w30 conventional oil and was changed about 3 months ago. There is maybe 1000 miles on the oil.
Gas is probably a month and a half old now, and probably at half a tank.
The parking brake has been on the whole time
It has been in the garage the whole times
Temps in San Diego have been primarily in the high 70's to low 80's the past month
I'm heading down there in about 5 hours, so any help is greatly appreciated.
.
I'm in the process of selling my house in San Diego and I am currently living in Los Angeles and because of space issues, I left my S2000 in San Diego until I could make space to park it in my garage in Los Angeles. I originally thought the car was going to sit there for only 2 weeks before I brought it up, so I didn't do any long term sitting preparations. It's been a month now, and I am ready to bring the car up to Los Angeles.
So my question is, what should I do prior to starting the car to not cause any damage? I found all sorts of articles about starting cars after they have been sitting for 6 months to a year, but nothing for less time. Im always overly cautious with my S2000 so I'd rather do it right, then to just start it up, and have issues later on.
I figure I will have to jumpstart the car, but I am not sure if I should pull the fuel fuse and let the oil prime, or if I have to do anything else.
So here is the information on the car:
Note: I won't have any tools besides a jumper cable, but I can bring minimal tools with me if I have to. (I'm taking an Amtrak back down to SD to get the car)
2003 S2000 with about 140,000 miles
No prep was done at all, because I thought I would be driving the car after 2 weeks
Oil is 10w30 conventional oil and was changed about 3 months ago. There is maybe 1000 miles on the oil.
Gas is probably a month and a half old now, and probably at half a tank.
The parking brake has been on the whole time
It has been in the garage the whole times
Temps in San Diego have been primarily in the high 70's to low 80's the past month
I'm heading down there in about 5 hours, so any help is greatly appreciated.
.
#2
Just check your levels mate and go for it, my car rarely gets used during the winter and it is often a good 4-5 weeks or more between runs, just get in it and start it up, you will have no issues from that 100%.
#3
You will be fine. It will just fire up like normal. Unless your battery has issues, you won't need the cables.
If you are super paranoid, you could pull the fuel pump fuse under the dash, crank starter until oil light goes out, then replace fuse and fire up.
If you are super paranoid, you could pull the fuel pump fuse under the dash, crank starter until oil light goes out, then replace fuse and fire up.
#7
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Foothills East of Sacramento
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You should be posting about now how everything was just fine. Hell, not starting my cars (including the S) for a month happens from time to time with my occupation.
If you read up on "Bob the Oil Guy" website you will discover synthetic oils tend to leave a bit of a film compared to dino oil that will drain away. You may want to consider going for a 0W-30 of your choice to help with starting.
If you read up on "Bob the Oil Guy" website you will discover synthetic oils tend to leave a bit of a film compared to dino oil that will drain away. You may want to consider going for a 0W-30 of your choice to help with starting.
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#8
where I work we start up cars that have been sitting for a year or more all the time. all I do is check the fluids, turn the key on a coupld times to prime the pump, then start it. sometimes depending on the car it needs a little throttle to keep it going especially if the battery is super dead
#10
A month won't be a problem. The e-brake may be stuck to the rotors at first, but should free up OK. My S2000 hibernates 4 or 5 months every year and has done so for 15 winters with no issues in the spring.